A4 Friday, July 12, 2013, Tri-City News
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Province rejects Coquitlam on byelection regs changes City councils in best position to decide: minister By Janis Warren The Tri-CiTy News
A request by Coquitlam city council to change the rules about civic byelections was dismissed by the provincial government this week. Mayor Richard Stewart wrote on behalf of council last month to Coralee Oakes, B.C.’s minister of community, sport and cultural development, to ask for ways municipalities could avoid the high cost of byelections. Coquitlam — which on Monday voted 4-2 to hold a vote this fall to fill the vacancies left by recently elected MLAs Linda Reimer and Selina Robinson — is one of 13 B.C. municipalities that saw their civic politicians leave for provincial seats. Besides Coquitlam, those municipalities facing byelections following the resignation of mayors or councillors are: Dawson Creek, Penticton, Ashcroft, Sicamous and Prince Rupert. Those councils that will not fill the vacancies before the November 2014 election are: Langley City, Oliver, Delta, Abbotsford, Pitt Meadows and Surrey (Pemberton is undecided). The estimated cost of a byelection in Coquitlam is $150,000, including staff time, and previous
Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart asked Coralee Oakes (right), B.C.’s minister of community, sport and cultural development, for ways municipalities could avoid the high cost of byelections. byelections recorded turnouts well below that for a general election. In the 2007 byelection to replace Louella Hollington, the turnout was 4.9% while the 2010 byelection to fill Fin Donnelly’s chair attracted just 7.5% of eligible voters even with the addition of referendum questions about smoking on patios and off-leash
dog times at Mundy Park. In his letter to Oakes, Stewart asked that the Local Government Act (LGA) be changed so municipalities wouldn’t be forced to hold byelections after June 1 of the year preceding the year of the general local election; currently, the cutoff is Jan. 1 of the election year. Failing that, Stewart
suggested the LGA allow the first runner-up candidate who lost the campaign take over an empty council spot. But Oakes contended the LGA is flexible enough: Councils can vote for a byelection; newly elected MLAs can hold both civic and provincial jobs; and leaves of absence are permitted until Jan. 1. “Municipal councils are in the best position to carefully weigh various factors in making this decision,” she wrote to Stewart on July 8. Oakes also recommended Coquitlam raise the matter before the Union of BC Municipalities — which council did two years ago (after Donnelly resigned to become MP) but its motion failed to garner support from the delegates. jwarren@tricitynews.com
...if so, a warm welcome awaits you from your hostess and the local merchants
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Celebration of Wood Fair
July 20, 10am-5pm, Port Moody Arts Centre Wood is an important part of Port Moody’s history and this event highlights the many facets of this diverse commodity. Enjoy this free event with displays and demos of artisian work including woodcarving, children’s activities and historical displays.
Port Moody Centennial Youth Arts Festival July 26 and 27, Inlet Theatre, admission by donation
This engaging festival showcases bands, dancers, films and art featuring local talent from youth ages 13-18. Find the full schedule online at www.pomoyaf.com.
Port Moody: Yesterday & Tomorrow
Display on until September 15, Port Moody Station Museum
Community Picnic and Fireworks!
August 17, noon-10pm at Rocky Point Park
New to town? Getting married? Having a baby?
Centennial Events
Local resident and modeller Jim Buckley has constructed a nine block model of Clarke Street in the 1930s complete with a working CPR train. Jump ahead 90 years to the year 2020 with a Lego display created by the Vancouver Lego Club.
Community Picnic and Fireworks August 17, noon-10pm, Rocky Point Park
Bring the family to a day of activities, races and entertainment. Musical entertainment includes Charlotte Diamond, The Pids, Wall Street and ABRA Cadabra, followed by fireworks at 9:30pm. This free event is hosted by local favourite Tony Prophet.
Centennial CPR Train Excursion
GREAT FAMILY ACTIVITIES
LIVE MUSIC ALL DAY CENTENNIAL FIREWORKS!
• Family games
• Sk8 Park DJ
• Children’s races and activities
• Puppet show & roving magician
• Free public swimming
• Bike decorating & parade
• Charlotte Diamond (12pm)
August 18, 9:30am and 1:30pm. Tickets now on sale at the Port Moody Station Museum, $30, cash only Hop a ride on a Heritage Diesel train this summer! The Port Moody Heritage Society joins with CPR to offer vintage train rides to the public. Take a one way train trip to or from Mission and bus back.
Host a Centennial block party in your neighbourhood!
• Poco Legion Pipe Band (6pm)
• The Pids (1:30pm)
• ABRA Cadabra • Wall Street (3:30pm) (8pm)
Enjoy a spectacular fireworks show at 9:30pm!
Bring neighbours together, celebrate the City of Port Moody’s Centennial and help build communities by having a block party. We’re offering a limited number of $100 grants for your community block party, along with a Centennial promotional package that includes t-shirts, mugs and more! Apply today! Fill out a permit application at www.portmoody.ca. Click on the Centennial logo and go to the “Get Involved” page.
We’re on Facebook, Twitter (#PoMo100) & www.portmoody.ca 604.469.4500 www.portmoody.ca
604.469.4500 www.portmoody.ca